Trial and Error (1997): Dir: Jonathan Lynn / Cast: Michael Richards, Jeff Daniels, Charlize Theron, Rip Torn, Jessica Steen: Recycled comedy about personal conviction. Michael Richards plays a struggling actor who plans a bachelor party for his brother, played by Jeff Daniels. Daniels represents a fraud case but during a fight at a bar he is clobbered and takes all of his prescription pills. As predicted Richards will take his brother's place in court. Directed by Jonathan Lynn who made Sgt. Bilko the previous year. The two leads render this formula comedy beyond what it might have been without them. Richards recites his famous role on Seinfeld where his nightclub act must double as a lawyer when he is faced with doubling as his brother. Daniels does well as the real lawyer nursing a bar fight headache. He uses cue cards in his attempt to assist his brother in doing his job. He is also being cared for by a waitress whom he obviously will take a shine to. Charlize Theron plays the waitress and the role is as deadpan as it sounds. Rip Torn steals moments as the obviously guilty man on trial whom Richards uses slick thinking to expose. Jessica Steen plays a lawyer who ends up as a predictable romantic interest. The film exists mainly as a stage for Richards for his starring debut but despite its overly sitcom delivery, it will hopefully lead to better things for the comic. Score: 3 ½ / 10
Review of Trial and Error
